February is Black History Month. Several black families lived in town, some fought in the Civil War but all were hard working, respected citizens.

Henry Roberts was born a slave in Maryland on October 1, 1814 at Hagerstown. November of 1863 Henry traveled to New Haven Connecticut to enlist in the 29th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Colored Troops. He soon became a Corporal in Company F of the 29th and served with the regiment in Virginia and Texas. The 29th Connecticut Infantry was one of the first of the Union forces to march into the city of Richmond when the Confederate capital was surrendered April 3, 1865.
Henry and Jane Roberts purchase a house on Lake Street where they spent the rest of their lives.

George W. Corse wrote a column called “As I See It” and wrote “Gib Roberts owned his home and was a solid, respected citizen and was possessed of solid integrity. Gib Roberts was more than a barber, he was an excellent musician and for a number of years was first violin in the famed Thomas orchestra, before that playing as a professional musician.” Gib was the youngest son of Henry and Jane Roberts.

Samuel Anderson served as a water bearer in the 11th US Colored Troops Heavy Artillery. In his later years he stayed with his daughter Susan and son-in-law, Joseph Leonard in Sandy Creek.

James Sharp was born in Sandy Creek about 1840. His father, Morgan Sharp, was a Negro and by occupation a blacksmith, while his mother was an Indian woman. When James was quite young the father died and the boy found a home with Abram Pruyn, while the mother returned to her tribe. When the Civil War broke out James enlisted in Company G, 24th Regiment. The 1850 Sandy Creek Census shows him living with Fanny Sharp in the proximity of Edwards Road and by 1860 he is living with the Ephraim Potter family.

Levi Bird was born in Maryland about the year 1849 and in infancy was sold with his mother to a planter in Georgia. During the Civil War he enlisted as a cook in Company G, 159th Regiment, and at the close of the war was brought to Sandy Creek by its first Sergeant, E. E. Covey, of this town. He found ready employment at various duties about town and made many friends. Levi was a barber in Lacona on the Powers Block. Levi and his wife Lizzie are buried in Woodlawn. (Sandy Creek News September 25, 1890) The ladies of the A. J. Barney Relief Corps have done a little piece of charitable work that does them credit in placing Mrs. Levi (Lizzie) Bird’s name on the tombstone of her husband. She has been buried a number of years with nothing to mark her grave.